PAGB Codes & Guidance

In order to support its members in complying with the legal requirements for OTC medicines, food supplements and medical devices, PAGB publishes both formal codes of practice and supplementary guidance documents.

All PAGB codes and guidance reflect the law and, in some areas, they go beyond the law to provide a further interpretation. It is a condition of membership that companies comply with relevant codes and guidance in both the letter and the spirit.

PAGB operates a pre-publication approval system for member companies’ consumer advertising. It is a condition of membership that all advertising aimed at consumers must be submitted to PAGB for screening and PAGB approval has been given prior to its release into the public domain.

Whilst member companies are legally responsible for their advertising, the pre-publication approval system aims to help members ensure that their consumer advertising complies with the legal and self-regulatory requirements and that the messages portrayed are legal, decent, truthful, balanced, and responsible.

PAGB offers advice on advertising that is aimed at health care professionals but does not operate a system of pre-publication approval for such materials.

In addition to the PAGB codes and guidance below, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, MHRA, also provides detailed guidance on: